DE2355711A1 - ROTARY CAMERA PROCESSING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y. T465O, U.S.A.

Rotating table-Kaffiera processing device

The "invention relates to a camera processing device, which is used to record information on photosensitive film inserts, which are inserted into openings of perforated ' cards are arranged, and a turntable with card holders is provided to hold the punch cards carrying such film inserts and one after the other to move a predetermined path, along this path an actuatable exposure station and an actuatable processing station are provided to process the exposed insert to form a record.

The use of microfilm sections inserted in punch cards is widely used for storing information. Initially, a variety of document images developed on film, which was then cut into individual film sections that were hand-arranged into cards. This process was of course very time-consuming and time-consuming

9819/09 4 5

laborious to perform. In order to overcome these disadvantages, was camera processing apparatus such as that described in U.S. Patent 3,233,532 is provided. At a such device, film sections are attached to punch cards from the start and a camera processing device of the Turntable type moves these cards in series along a predetermined path through an exposure station and processing stations. In certain use cases, which Use turntable camera processing devices, such as duplicates of radiographs or x-rays every time an X-ray photograph is copied onto a section of film, the processing device will do guide these film sections through all workstations until they are finished. In such a turntable camera processing apparatus an operation is carried out at certain stations, while at other stations nothing happens. Accordingly, the efficiency of the apparatus is relatively low from the standpoint of station operations per unit of apparatus operating time.

The present invention aims to provide a turntable camera processing apparatus to be provided, which has an increased efficiency.

The invention is based on the knowledge that with certain Turntable camera processing device use cases it it is not necessary to process (develop, etc.) the punch cards completely, but rather that they Cards do not have to be processed until the end of the working day.

According to the invention are in a turntable camera processing apparatus for use with punch cards with film inserts as well as an exposure station and processing station Control devices are provided which are coupled to the turntable and respond to a stored recording, which indicates the desired number of film sections that are to be exposed with a special radiation pattern, in order to then

409 8T970945

to operate the exposure station in order to produce the successive To effect exposure of the desired number of film inserts-with this information. The control means can also be the processing station press to process a number of exposed film inserts that is smaller than the desired number, whereby at least one exposed but unprocessed film insert remains in the web, and the control means further comprising means responsive to the next desired number of film inserts to which the information should be recorded 'in order to process the unprocessed film inserts. .

Further advantages, objects and details of the invention result

from the claims and from the description of a · preferred * -

th embodiment with reference to the drawing; in the drawing shows: · "■

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of a camera processing device. the housing hiding the turntable device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG Turntable punch card camera processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

3 shows a plan view of the device according to J ¹ Ig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side view of the turntable device and the turntable driving device, which the turntable around a Turns the axis of rotation around and moves the turntable in a translatory manner along this axis;

FIGS. 5A and 5B together show a control circuit for the operation of the turntable shown in FIGS. 2-4, partially in FIG Block form and partly in schematic form;

6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of the function control devices for the processing station and the film dryer.

409819/0945

and delivery station.

In order to better understand the punch card camera processing devices - in which the invention is used in particular - Referring first to Figure 1, the exterior of a camera processing device 10 along with an identification printer 12 is shown. D. Such punch card camera processing devices are known and expose, process and dry photosensitive film sections that are in the form of inserts are arranged in the holes or windows of punch cards.

The general operation of the camera processing device shown in Figure 1 10 is only briefly described. In operation, the operator takes the one to be recorded on a film insert Material, such as an X-ray, a radio graphical recording or the like (not shown), from a recording tray 14 and brings the one to be recorded Material in a slidable holder 16. The operator removes a punched data card (not shown) (punched with information pertaining to the patient, and for example contains his name, his medical history and the like) from the sensor 14 and places this card in the reading slot 19 of the Identification printer 12. The reading station decodes the punched information on the card and stores this information in a memory unit, and generates a visual alphanomeric The information is displayed on a display screen 18. The operator then reviews the information on the radiographic image or the same legibly recorded information with the information visually displayed on the display screen 18. If a mistake is present in the punch card information or additional information is to be entered, the correction or Additions entered by the operator by means of a keypad 24, depending on the situation of the case. When the verification is completed and a display screen 22 on the processing device indicates that the device is ready for use, so the operator pushes the holder 16 into the exposure zone 26 of the camera processing device 10 and operates the

409819/0945

Camera processing device and the identification printer by depressing appropriate switches on the control board. After a card is completely processed / becomes to brought to a receiving tray 28. Finished cards can be stacked on a further receiving tray 29.

In FIGS. 2-4, one is generally designated by the reference number 30 designated processing device is shown having a turntable 32, a work station platform 43 and a turntable central shaft 42 which is attached to the turntable 32 and can cause a rotary movement and a translational movement of the turntable. The turntable 32 has 6 identical ones Card holder 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38, specifically for the recording of six punch cards 39. The punch cards 39 consist - as is known - of paper or cardboard and have a hole 40 in which a photosensitive film section 41 (normally 35mm in size) is originally attached as an insert. the Card holders 33-38 are angularly arranged at 60 intervals around the axis of the turntable center shaft 42 and have (not shown) vacuum cups or other suitable means to detachably fix the punched cards 39 on the card holders. The turntable 32 is attached to the shaft 42, which in turn is rotatably mounted in the platform 43 and with a suitable lifting device and a suitable rotating device 45 in connection which is enclosed within the platform 43 (see FIG. 4).

The lifting device 44 and the rotating device 45 cooperate to make the turntable about the axis concentric with the To rotate shaft 42, and to move the turntable in opposite directions along the same axis. The turning device 45 rotates the turntable 32 successively in 60 steps counterclockwise (see Fig. 3), after completing each such rotating step, the elevator 44 lowers the turntable 32 by a distance A, such as this is shown in FIG.

409819/0945

The platform 43 - see FIG. 2 in this regard - has six work stations 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 and 51. In its lowered Position the turntable 32 arranges the six card holders 33-38 and the six punch cards 39 attached to them in a corresponding manner Six workstation alignment 46-51 at. The six workstations 46-51 are attached to the platform 43 and Arranged angularly at 60 ° intervals around the turntable center shaft 12. To make alignment easier, the Card holder 33-38 two index pins 52 and 53 on and the workstations 46-51 have two index pin receiving recesses 54 and 55, respectively.

The six workstations 4 6-51 work together to perform a series of six different operations on the punch card 39 execute. This series of operations is used for taking photos individual (not shown) documents on the photosensitive film inserts 41 and for rapid processing ■ of the film inserts to produce a photographic positive or negative image. The work series begins at work station 46 and is completed at work station 51.

At the work station 46, the card loading station, a light-tight card holder (not shown) is opened in order to be able to receive the punched cards 39 one after the other through the card holders 33-38 when these are brought into alignment with the card loading station and a loading vacuum solenoid 96 (Fig. 5B) is excited. This sequence of events occurs every time the turntable 32 makes a 60 -turn c!
stand A in Fig. 4 is lowered.

the turntable 32 completes a 60-turn step and

At the work station 47, the card alignment station, the Punch card temporarily released from the card holder and precisely aligned with the index pins 52 and 53 on the card holder, by means of four movable lugs 56 controlled by an alignment solenoid so as to position the card for film exposure the next station 48 to be arranged exactly. The alignment station 47 can sequentially actuate solenoids 98, 99 and 1OO (

409819/0945

same Fig. 5B) to 1) actuate a device / so as to instantly turn off the vacuum so that a punch card falls off the plate into an alignment recess 2) the approaches for .a movement in abutment with the cards and to align the same and to 3) re-apply the vacuum so that the aligned card is picked up by the platen will. . : - "

At work station 48, the film exposure station, a The photosensitive film insert fastened in the punch card is exposed to light which passes through an optical mask 57 to photograph such a picture on the film insert.

At work station 49, the first film processing station, an exposed film insert is treated first with a developer solution and then with a stop solution.

At work station 50, a second film processing station, the exposed film insert is then coated with a fixing solution and a washing solution treated to process the film insert to end.

Finally, at work station 51, a film dryer and dispensing station, the processed film insert first dried by heated air or other suitable means and then dried dispensed into the card receiving tray 28 (see FIG. 1).

In Figures 5A and 5B there is shown a control circuit 740 which to control the operation of the turntable 32 and the workstations 46-51 is used for the exposure or processing of the cards. A count selector switch 72 enables the operator the selection of a number between 1 and 4, this number representing the desired number of film sections which are to be exposed and then processed. The count selector can be arranged in the control plate of Fig. 1 such that when a special button "is depressed, a special

409819/0945

le digital number is entered into a comparison stage 74. One Control panel or keypad as may be used herein in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 1 of US Pat. No. 3,290 described. The comparison stage 74 can transfer a number stored in a counter with that from the switch 72 to the comparison stage Compare the supplied number and an output signal with a then apply a high level to an AND gate 78 if the number records stored in the counter 76 are not equal to the Number records are stored in the comparison stage 74 are. However, if these numbers are the same, then that goes

78 Output variable of the comparison stage to the AND gate / to a low value. The counter circuits according to the invention are in Commercially available and such as those in the manual by the company Motorola "TTL Integrated Circuits Data Book (1970)" are described. The comparison stage 74 can also be different take on known, commercially available forms and be designed, for example, in the form of a "DM 8200" (manufactured from the National Semi-Conductor Corporation of Santa Clara, California).

After an operator has a specific number of to be exposed and has selected film sections to be processed by operating the switch 72, an exposure button 80 (which is arranged on the keypad 27 of Fig. 1) depressed, " thereby completing an electrical circuit leading to a light emitting diode (LED) 81. The light emitting Diode 81 is now connected to a positive voltage source via a resistor 83 and illuminates a phototransistor 82 ^ which changes its conductivity, to the extent that a trigger input signal via a resistor 84 on J-K flip-flop 88 sets which goes from a zero state (Q high) switches to a one state (Q high). In the one state, flip-flop 88 generates a high level signal at AND gate 90. At this point, if the output of AND gate 78 is high, AND gate 90 generates an energizing signal the sequence circuit 92. The sequence circuit 92 can be in series produce a plurality of output signals on lines 92a-e.

409819/0945

Sequential circuits generating such a function are shown in FIG
Known in the art and either mechanical devices such as cam-operated switches or electronic shift registers can be used. The output signals generated by sequential circuit 92 actuate driver circuits 92a ¹ , b ¹ , c ¹ and d ^{1 in} turn, which in turn sequentially operate load station vacuum solenoid 96, alignment station vacuum shutdown solenoid 98, alignment boss control solenoid 99 and
actuate the vacuum reapplication solenoid 100. After this sequence of operations, the card is aligned at the alignment station 47 and is held in place by vacuum. At this point in time, another card was also picked up from the turntable at the charging station 46. The sequence circuit 92 then generates a signal in
Conductor 92e which causes OR gate 102 to operate turntable control circuit 110 as described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent 3,233,432. The turntable feed control circuit 110 includes a motor control logic circuit that drives a motor to drive the turntable in increments (60 ° as described above) along the path. The control logic circuit may take any of the known forms that are commercially available. The circuit 110 has
also includes means which, when the circuit has completed its advancing step, generates a plurality of input signals for workstation function controllers 120 and also for counter 76. For simplicity, only a single function controller is shown in Figure 5B, although of course such a control device for
each workstation is provided. Figures 6A and 6B show
other function control devices to be briefly described below. The function control device shown in Fig. 5B belongs to the exposure station and has a
JK flip-flop 122 which, when actuated by circuit 110, switches to the "one" state and energizes a driver circuit 124. The driver circuit 124 then energizes a high voltage exposure control network 126 which turns on at least one lamp for a selected exposure.

409819/0945.

In Pig. 6A is a function control device for the processing stations 39 and 50 (see Fig. 2). This control device has a J-K flip-flop 150, which is shown in FIG its function is similar to that of flip-flop 122 in FIG. 5B. When circuit 110 generates a signal, it becomes the J-K flip-flop switched to the one state. At this point in time, a positive signal with a high level is then applied to transistor 154, whereby this transistor changes from its switched-off state to a conductive state. This creates a Circuit path from a positive voltage source

and
relay 156 / collector and emitter electrodes of transistor 154 to ground. At this point, relay 156 energizes and closes its contacts 156a, thereby applying a positive AC signal to the gate electrode of a triac 158. As a result, the previously non-conductive triac is switched to a conductive state and connects the alternating current potential to a motor 160. As is known, a triac is a three-electrode, five-layer device; the triac has many of the properties of a common silicon controlled rectifier, but is commonly used as a switch in series with an AC voltage source. When the motor 60 is on, it drives a processing pump 162 and also a cam 164. A switch 166 is normally closed, but when the pump 162 is near the end of a processing cycle, the cam 164 causes an instantaneous opening. At this time, a rucks te 11 pulse is applied to the flip-flop via a resistor 168 which is directly connected to a positive voltage source. After the flip-flop 150 has changed to a zero ^ state, the transistor is switched to a non-conductive state and the relay 156 is switched off, whereby the triac 158 is non-conductive and the motor 160 switches off. Alternatively, the switch 166 could be designed on two sides and sequentially generate a first reset signal for the flip-flop 150 through the first side and provide a switching connection for switching off the transistor 154 through the second side.

409819/094 5

A function control device for the drying and dispensing station 51 is shown in FIG. 6B. The elements corresponding to FIG. 6A are provided with the same reference numerals, but have a prime. In operation, when the JK flip-flop 150 'is switched to the one state, it generates a pulse on a timing circuit 162'. Timing circuits are known in the art. An example of a circuit which can be used in accordance with the invention is contained in the GE Transistor Manual, 5th edition, section 13 (1960). The timing circuit produces an output on transistor 154 ¹ when energized; furthermore, the time control circuit generates a reset signal for the flip-flop 150 ¹ , namely after a predetermined time interval which is sufficient for the station 51,. to have finished the operations. After transistor 154 'has been switched to its conductive state, it causes relay 156 "to be energized. Contacts 156a then close and a gate signal is applied to triac 158" so that it becomes conductive and the alternating current signal reaches a heater, which is shown schematically as an adjustable resistor 164 '. After the aforementioned predetermined time interval of the timing control circuit has passed and the timing control circuit generates the reset pulse for the flip-flop 150 ', the transistor 154' is switched to a switched-off state, whereupon the relay 156 is switched off, the contacts 156a ¹ open and the circuit for Heater 164 'is interrupted.

After the function control devices - compare now again Figures 5A and 5B - having all completed their operations, they are generating low level input signals at inverting inputs of an AND gate 130, which under such conditions produce an output signal in four tracks. The first is connected to AND gate 78, the second to a reset circuit 132, the third with an AND gate 136 and the fourth connected to a NAND gate 137.

If the selected count of switch 72 is not the same of the counter, AND gate 78 receives a high signal

. 4096 1 9 / 09.4 5.

nal from AND gate 130 and comparison stage 74. The output variable of AND gate 78 is then high, and this causes AND gate 90 to cycle again or sequence circuit 92 to initiate.

It should be noted that during the time that the flip-flop 88 was electrically on by the action of the switch 80, others Switch operations are not effective until the reset circuit (which can be formed by an AND gate) a Input from gate 130 and also a signal from the comparison stage 79, which indicates equality. To this one Time the flip-flop 88 is reset and brings the switch 80 back into an operable control state. if When comparing the same values occur, the comparison stage 84 also generates a reset signal for the counter 47. If it if it is desired to process all cards in the turntable, a "clear" button 190 (see FIG. 1) is depressed and creates a complete circle for the series connection of a positive potential source, resistor 192, one LED 194 to earth. The LED illuminates a phototransistor 196, which generates a switch-on signal for a J-K flip-flop 200. That Flip-flop 2OO switches to the on state and generates a high level signal at AND gate 136. Another high level signal from AND gate 130 is generated at ■ AND gate 106 to indicate the end of the Process. The AND gate 136 generates a signal at the OR gate 102 which bypasses the sequence circuit 92 and causing the turntable to continue operating without receiving subsequent cards.

Whenever a signal comes from AND gate 130, conducts AND gate 136 one more cycle. At the fourth meter reading in counter 46 a signal to NAND gate 137 is generated. It should be noted here that a mechanical connection exists between switch 190 and the fourth position of switch 72, which is indicated by a dashed line is. As a result of this arrangement, when the "clear" button 190 is depressed, the switch 72 is brought into position 34, whereby the number "4" is entered into the comparison stage 74.

409819/0945

After receiving the counter signal and a signal from the AND gate 130 sends the NAND gate 137 a reverse signal to flip-flop 200. The machine now does not contain any fully processed Cards more.

When operating the control circuit shown in Figures 5A and 5B the switch 72 is therefore first brought into a position indicating the number of exposures, this number is entered into the comparison stage 74. Then the exposure button 80 is depressed, whereby the flip-flop 88 goes into its on-state and supplies a signal to AND gate 90. The sequence circuit 92 is made by the comparison circuit 74 and the AND gate 130, which determines the end of the process, is actuated a number of times equal to the number entered in the comparison stage 74. In this way the turntable leaves unprocessed film inserts in the camera processing device, where this is then as a result of ... further entries in the comparison circuit 74 are processed, whereby a results in effective utilization of device uptime.

In short, the invention makes it possible, that is, through use a control circuit after completion of the exposure of the film section of a punch card no command to advance the Punch card is given to the next work station until there is no command to generate another punch card. To this Thus, the camera processing device must have received commands to generate six punch cards before the first Map their passage through the camera processing device has finished and is handed in. The invention has thus recognized that it is possible to have a variety of partially processed Leaves punch cards in the turntable. The above-mentioned "clear" button allows the complete processing of all to make existing cards in the turntable if you want to empty the device for any reason, what for example may be the case at the end of a working day.

409819/0945

Claims (11)

P ATENT RESPONSIBILITY . Camera processing device for recording information on film punch cards with a turntable having a card holder to the punch cards in series along a predetermined To move the web, an actuatable exposure station and an actuatable processing station being provided along this path is indicated by a) Storage means for storing a record which indicates the desired number of film punch cards on which information is to be stored, and b) control means (140) connected to the turntable and responsive to the stored record to control the To move punched film cards along the path and around the exposure station to effect successive exposures the desired number of film punch cards, and to operate the processing station so that a number of exposed film punch cards is processed which is smaller than the desired number, whereby at least an exposed but not processed film punch card remains in the web, and wherein the control means finally comprising means which is based on the stored record of a subsequent desired number of film punch cards address on which information is to be recorded in order to process the unprocessed film punch card . 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by a) a counter to record a number equal to the number of exposed film punch cards, b) a comparison stage (74) for storing a record representing a desired number of film punch cards on which information is to be recorded and which is responsive to the number accumulated in the counter to generate a first signal when the accumulated number and the stored number are not equal, and a second signal is generated if the two 4098 19/0945 Numbers are equal, and by c) control means responsive to the first signal to sequentially transport the punch cards to the To actuate the exposure station and to actuate the processing stations, means being responsive to the second signal for preventing actuation of the stations, thereby leaving a multitude of unprocessed film punch cards in the web, and eventually the control means is further responsive to successive first signals for unprocessed film punch cards to process. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized by a "clear" device to cause the control device ', to process all unprocessed film punch cards. 4. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, · characterized by an operator-operable count selector switch (72). 5. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the comparison stage (74) compares the number stored in the counter (76) with that of the counter switch (72) compares the next number. 6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by an exposure button (80) for actuating a light emitting diode (81). 7. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a sequence circuit (92), which output signals in sequence to different lines (92a-92e) applies. - 4098 19/09 4 5 8. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that function control devices have a low value upon completion of their operations Level input signals to inverting inputs an AND gate (130) which has an output signal generated in four paths with an AND gate (78), a reset circuit (132), an AND gate (136) and a NAND gates (137) are connected .. 9. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a flip-flop (88) which can be operated by a switch (80) and which reacts to further switch operations does not respond before the reset circuit (132) receives an input from a gate (30) and a signal from the comparison stage (79), whereupon the flip-flop (88) is reset and the switch (80) is in an operable state brings back. 10. Device "according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a "clear" button (190) for applying a light emitting diode (194) to a Voltage source is used, whereby a phototransistor (196) is illuminated, which switches a flip-flop (200), which in turn applies a high level signal to an AND gate (136). 11. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mechanical connection between switch (190) and the fourth position of Switch (72) is provided. 0 9 8 19/0945 Λ- Lee on the side